Enables cholesterol monooxygenase (side-chain-cleaving) activity. Acts upstream of or within C21-steroid hormone biosynthetic process. Located in mitochondrion. Is expressed in several structures, including endocrine gland; labyrinthine zone; reproductive system; spleen; and urinary system. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in congenital adrenal hyperplasia and congenital adrenal insufficiency. Orthologous to human CYP11A1 (cytochrome P450 family 11 subfamily A member 1). [provided by Alliance of Genome Resources, Apr 2022]