Ligand-dependent transcription factor probably involved in the retinoic acid response pathway. Binds 9-cis-retinoic acid (9C-RA) and, to a lesser extent, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), phytanic acid, methoprene acid and oleic acid. Binds to double-stranded DNA sequences containing direct repeats (DR) with the consensus sequence 5'-[AG]GGTCA-3' and 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 nucleotides in between (DR1, DR2, DR3. DR4 and DR5, respectively). Binding to DR1 is strongest. Transactivates gene expression when 9C-RA or DHA is bound.