Receptor for retinoic acid that acts as a transcription factor. Forms homo- or heterodimers with retinoic acid receptors (rars) and binds to target response elements in response to their ligands, all-trans or 9-cis retinoic acid, to regulate gene expression in various biological processes. The rar/rxr heterodimers bind to the retinoic acid response elements (RARE) composed of tandem 5'-AGGTCA-3' sites known as DR1-DR5 to regulate transcription. The high affinity ligand for rxrs is 9-cis retinoic acid. In the absence of ligand, the rar/rxr heterodimers associate with a multiprotein complex containing transcription corepressors that induce histone deacetylation, chromatin condensation and transcriptional suppression. On ligand binding, the corepressors dissociate from the receptors and coactivators are recruited leading to transcriptional activation. Homodimer. Heterodimer; with a rar molecule. Binds DNA preferentially as a rar/rxr heterodimer (By similarity). Interacts with coactivator ncoa3 and with senp6 (PubMed:16912044, PubMed:9658407). It is synthesized during oogenesis and persists during early cleavage, levels drop before gastrulation and remain low until the tailbud stage, and then increase in the later stages. Composed of three domains: a modulating N-terminal domain, a DNA-binding domain and a C-terminal ligand-binding domain. Sumoylated on Lys-134; which negatively regulates transcriptional activity. Desumoylated specifically by SENP6 (By similarity). Belongs to the nuclear hormone receptor family. NR2 subfamily.