Plays a central role in chromosome cohesion during meiosis and mitosis by preventing premature dissociation of cohesin complex from centromeres after prophase; when most of cohesin complex dissociates from chromosomes arms. May act by protecting or Rad21 from cleavage by Sse/separase. Required during meiosis in both males and females. {ECO:0000269|PubMed:10654079; ECO:0000269|PubMed:7585942; ECO:0000269|PubMed:9490715; ECO:0000269|PubMed:9869638}.