A cytochrome P450 monooxygenase involved in the metabolism of endogenous oxysterols and steroid hormones, including neurosteroids. 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). Catalyzes the hydroxylation of carbon hydrogen bonds of steroids with a preference for 7-alpha position. Usually metabolizes steroids carrying a hydroxy group at position 3, functioning as a 3-hydroxy steroid 7-alpha hydroxylase. Hydroxylates oxysterols, including 25-hydroxycholesterol and (25R)-cholest-5-ene-3beta,26-diol toward 7-alpha hydroxy derivatives, which may be transported to the liver and converted to bile acids. Via its product 7-alpha,25-dihydroxycholesterol, a ligand for the chemotactic G protein-coupled receptor GPR183/EBI2, regulates B cell migration in germinal centers of lymphoid organs, thus guiding efficient maturation of plasma B cells and overall antigen-specific humoral immune response. 7-alpha hydroxylates neurosteroids, including 3beta-hydroxyandrost-5-en-17-one (dehydroepiandrosterone) and pregnenolone, both involved in hippocampus-associated memory and learning. Metabolizes androstanoids toward 6- or 7-alpha hydroxy derivatives.
