Metallothionein-like protein class II (Fagus sylvatica type) was described in Norway spruce (Picea abies), whose expression pattern was analyzed via ESTs from cDNA libraries . Type 4 metallothionein-like protein genes are expressed in inner bark tissue of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) . ESTs encoding metallothionein-like proteins were the most frequently found hits in both early and late flushing libraries. Metallothionein-like protein activity is probably initiated by some cellular events during late flushing .