A cytochrome P450 monooxygenase involved in corticoid and androgen biosynthesis (PubMed:22266943, PubMed:25301938, PubMed:27339894, PubMed:9452426). Catalyzes 17-alpha hydroxylation of C21 steroids, which is common for both pathways. A second oxidative step, required only for androgen synthesis, involves an acyl-carbon cleavage.

The 17-alpha hydroxy intermediates, as part of adrenal glucocorticoids biosynthesis pathway, are precursors of cortisol (Probable) (PubMed:25301938, PubMed:9452426). Hydroxylates steroid hormones, pregnenolone and progesterone to form 17-alpha hydroxy metabolites, followed by the cleavage of the C17-C20 bond to form C19 steroids, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and androstenedione (PubMed:22266943, PubMed:25301938, PubMed:27339894, PubMed:36640554, PubMed:9452426). Has 16-alpha hydroxylase activity.

Catalyzes 16-alpha hydroxylation of 17-alpha hydroxy pregnenolone, followed by the cleavage of the C17-C20 bond to form 16-alpha-hydroxy DHEA (PubMed:36640554). Also 16-alpha hydroxylates androgens, relevant for estriol synthesis (PubMed:25301938, PubMed:27339894). Mechanistically, uses molecular oxygen inserting one oxygen atom into a substrate, and reducing the second into a water molecule, with two electrons provided by NADPH via cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR; NADPH-ferrihemoprotein reductase) (PubMed:22266943, PubMed:25301938, PubMed:27339894, PubMed:9452426)

• Adrenal hyperplasia 5 (AH5)

  A form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a common recessive disease due to defective synthesis of cortisol. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia is characterized by androgen excess leading to ambiguous genitalia in affected females, rapid somatic growth during childhood in both sexes with premature closure of the epiphyses and short adult stature. Four clinical types: 'salt wasting' (SW, the most severe type), 'simple virilizing' (SV, less severely affected patients), with normal aldosterone biosynthesis, 'non-classic form' or late-onset (NC or LOAH) and 'cryptic' (asymptomatic).