Cholesterol-binding protein which is involved in dietary cholesterol uptake from the environment (PubMed:22479487). Does not play a role in double-stranded RNA transport in contrast to other SID1 family members (PubMed:29025917, PubMed:18201385). cholesterol(in) = cholesterol(out) Highly expressed along the intestine with expression also detected in the pharynx, especially at the terminal bulb, and in the excretory gland cells. Expressed in the embryo, larva and adult with no difference in expression level across larval stages and adult. Hypersensitivity to cholesterol availability and decreased cholesterol uptake (PubMed:22479487). When grown in low cholesterol conditions, 72% reduction in offspring number compared to 25% reduction in wild-type worms, 60% reduction in oocyte number, altered oocyte distribution in 47% of mutants, and 5-fold increase in embryonic lethality (PubMed:22479487). In addition, in low cholesterol conditions, growth of mutants ceases by day 3, resulting in a 63% reduction in adult size at day 5, there is a 22% reduction in the number of L1 larvae that reach adulthood and a 4-5 hour delay in the L4-to-adult transition (PubMed:22479487). 78% reduction in dauer formation, increased sensitivity of adult hermaphrodites to heat exposure and reduced speed of movement independent of cholesterol availability (PubMed:22479487). Mutants show a twitching phenotype upon administration of unc-22 feeding RNAi, indicating a lack of involvement in the systemic RNAi response (PubMed:18201385). RNAi-mediated knockdown results in decreased cholesterol uptake and, when grown in low-cholesterol conditions, altered oocyte distribution in 42% of mutants, reduced oocyte numbers and reduced speed (PubMed:22479487). Belongs to the SID1 family. Probable cloning artifact.