Nuclear receptor for calcitriol, the active form of vitamin D3 which mediates the action of this vitamin on cells (By similarity). Enters the nucleus upon vitamin D3 binding where it forms heterodimers with the retinoid X receptor/RXR (By similarity). The VDR-RXR heterodimers bind to specific response elements on DNA and activate the transcription of vitamin D3-responsive target genes (By similarity). Plays a central role in calcium homeostasis (By similarity).
Subcellular locations: Nucleus, Cytoplasm
Localizes mainly to the nucleus. Translocated into the nucleus via both ligand-dependent and ligand-independent pathways; ligand-independent nuclear translocation is mediated by IPO4.