FNDC5 and atherosclerosis: Physiological functions of FNDC5, a close paralog of FNDC4, include effects on metabolism, e.g., improved glucose metabolism by upregulating uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) via phosphorylation of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), cardiovascular function, e.g., reduced atherosclerosis, skeletal muscle, e.g., myogenesis via NO-dependent mechanisms, and central nervous system, e.g., increased hippocampal neurogenesis [37].