The steroid hormones and their receptors are involved in the regulation of eukaryotic gene expression and affect cellular proliferation and differentiation in target tissues. Binds DNA as a homodimer. Can form a heterodimer with ER-beta (By similarity). Composed of three domains: a modulating N-terminal domain, a DNA-binding domain and a C-terminal ligand-binding domain. The modulating domain, also known as A/B or AF-1 domain has a ligand-independent transactivation function. The C-terminus contains a ligand-dependent transactivation domain, also known as E/F or AF-2 domain which overlaps with the ligand binding domain. AF-1 and AF-2 activate transcription independently and synergistically and act in a promoter- and cell-specific manner (By similarity). Belongs to the nuclear hormone receptor family. NR3 subfamily.