This gene encodes a member of the tRNA methyltransferase 6 protein family. A similar protein in yeast is part of a two component methyltransferase, which is involved in the posttranslational modification that produces the modified nucleoside 1-methyladenosine in tRNAs. Modified 1-methyladenosine influences initiator methionine stability and may be involved in the replication of human immunodeficiency virus type 1. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2013]