Orphan nuclear receptor and probable transcription activator, required during development (PubMed:10772806, PubMed:15314147). Plays a role in male tail tip morphogenesis regulating the expression of the transcription factor dmd-3 in a negative feedback loop (PubMed:21408209). Regulates vulval precursor cell (VPC) differentiation, in concert with homeobox protein lin-39 (PubMed:15314147). Involved in promoting embryogenesis, in concert with homeobox protein nob-1 (PubMed:15314147). May play a role in modulation of lifespan and immunity (PubMed:29748542). Interacts with lin-39 (PubMed:15314147). Interacts with nob-1 (PubMed:15314147). Expressed in the epidermis, the developing somatic gonad, and a subset of other epithelial cells. First expressed post-fertilization and expression continues throughout embryogenesis to adulthood (PubMed:10772806). More highly expressed in embryos and L1 to L3 stage larvae than L4 larva and adults (PubMed:10772806). Highly expressed in hyp8-11 cells in the male tail tip during male tail tip morphogenesis but ceases by the late L4 larval stage of development (PubMed:21408209). Transcription up-regulated in response to intestinal colonization by probiotic Lactobacillus fermentum strain JDFM216 (PubMed:29748542). RNAi-mediated knockdown results in embryonic or larval lethality in the majority of animals (PubMed:10772806). RNAi-mediated knockdown results in embryos that do not survive due to failed epidermally mediated process of embryo elongation (PubMed:10772806). Of the animals that hatch, larvae display a squat body statue, referred to as a dumpy phenotype, have uncoordinated movements and posterior patterning defects (PubMed:10772806). Larvae also have anterior patterning defects such as kinked or notched noses (PubMed:10772806). Animals that progress to adulthood are sterile and vulvaless (PubMed:10772806). RNAi-mediated knockdown disrupts tail tip morphogenesis resulting in retention of the pointed larval tail tip in 33% of adult males (also known as the Lep phenotype) (PubMed:10772806, PubMed:21408209). Knockdown causes enhanced embryonic lethality on a nob-1 mutant background. Belongs to the nuclear hormone receptor family.