Automated description from the Alliance of Genome Resources (Release 7.1.0)
Enables beta,beta-carotene-9',10'-cleaving oxygenase activity. Involved in isoprenoid catabolic process; regulation of mitochondrial membrane potential; and regulation of reactive oxygen species metabolic process. Acts upstream of or within retinal metabolic process and xanthophyll metabolic process. Located in mitochondrion. Is expressed in brain; embryo; liver; placenta; and yolk sac. Orthologous to human BCO2 (beta-carotene oxygenase 2).