[5][6] The enzyme is involved in the biosynthesis of adrenal corticosteroids[7] by catalyzing the addition of hydroxyl groups during oxidation reactions.

The cytochrome P450 proteins are monooxygenases that catalyze many reactions involved in drug metabolism and synthesis of cholesterol, steroids and other lipids.

This protein localizes to the mitochondrial inner membrane and is involved in the conversion of various steroids in the adrenal cortex.

Note the extra "–OH" added at the 11 position (near the center, on ring "C"): As a mitochondrial P450 system, P450c11 is dependent on two electron transfer proteins, adrenodoxin reductase and adrenodoxin that transfer 2 electrons from NADPH to the P450 for each monooxygenase reaction catalyzed by the enzyme.

In most respects this process of electron transfer appears similar to that of P450scc system that catalyzes cholesterol side chain cleavage.