Enables nuclear receptor activity; sequence-specific DNA binding activity; and steroid hormone binding activity. Involved in several processes, including determination of adult lifespan; heat acclimation; and positive regulation of dauer larval development. Located in nucleus. Expressed in several structures, including gonad; neurons; pharyngeal muscle cell; somatic gonad precursor; and vulva. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in several diseases, including artery disease (multiple); autoimmune disease (multiple); autosomal recessive limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2B; and carcinoma (multiple). Is an ortholog of human VDR (vitamin D receptor).