Involved in mitochondrial tRNA methylation (PubMed:26189817). Specifically methylates the N1 position of guanosine-37 in various tRNAs. Methylation is not dependent on the nature of the nucleoside 5′ of the target nucleoside. This is the first step in the biosynthesis of wybutosine (yW), a modified base adjacent to the anticodon of tRNAs and required for accurate decoding.