Thefushi tarazu factor 1 (FTZ-F1) nuclear receptor sub-family comprises orphan receptors with crucial roles in development and sexual differentiation in vertebrates and invertebrates. We describe the structure and functional properties of an FTZ-F1 from the platyhelminth parasite of humans,Schistosoma mansoni, the first receptor from this family tobe characterized inaLophotrochozoan. It contains awell conservedDNA-binding domain (55–63%identity to other family members) and a poorly conserved ligand-binding domain (20% identity to that of zebrafish FF1a)
