May function as protein hydroxylase; can catalyze auto-hydroxylation at Leu-110 (in vitro), but this activity may be due to the absence of the true substrate (PubMed:25122757). Required to induce programmed necrosis in response to DNA damage caused by cytotoxic alkylating agents. Acts by triggering the collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential and loss of mitochondrial function that leads to energy depletion and cell death (PubMed:23666923). ALKBH7-mediated necrosis is probably required to prevent the accumulation of cells with DNA damage (PubMed:23666923). Does not display DNA demethylase activity (PubMed:23666923). Involved in fatty acid metabolism (By similarity). Binds 1 Fe(2+) ion per subunit. Monomer. Widely expressed, with highest expression in pancreas, followed by spleen, prostate, ovary and placenta. Belongs to the alkB family. Was initially reported to localize both in cytoplasm and nucleus (PubMed:17979886). However, it was later shown it localizes in mitochondrion (PubMed:23666923). The discrepancy is probably due to the use of a fusion protein with an N-terminal tag in the initial report (PubMed:17979886).