Using the 1kb 3' terminal DNA fragment of the mouse methyltransferase cDNA as a 
probe and low stringent hybridisation conditions, a new potential 
methyltransferase (MTase) gene family was isolated from an Arabidopsis thaliana 
genomic DNA library. One clone (MTase-11), which gave the strongest signal at 
the Northern blot, was entirely sequenced (11483 bp) and further characterised. 
Under consideration of the likely open reading frames and our preliminary cDNA 
experiments we propose that the clone 11 gene encodes for an approximately 90 kD 
protein. As deduced form the DNA sequence this protein contains all conserved 
sequence motifs specific for the 5m cytosine MTases. MTase-11 gene expression 
was demonstrable in callus and during germination but not in one month old 
plants or in leaves.