Component of the cohesin complex, a complex required for the cohesion of sister chromatids after DNA replication (PubMed:12827206). The cohesin complex apparently forms a large proteinaceous ring within which sister chromatids can be trapped (By similarity). At anaphase, the scc-1 subunit of the complex is cleaved and dissociates from chromatin, allowing sister chromatids to segregate (By similarity). The cohesin complex may also play a role in spindle pole assembly during mitosis (By similarity). Plays an essential role in cell division during embryonic development (PubMed:12808038, PubMed:14560015, PubMed:12827206, PubMed:16802858). Required for the assembly of the synaptonemal complex between homologous chromosomes to promote sister chromatid cohesion during mitosis and meiosis (PubMed:14499625, PubMed:14560015). Has a role in stabilization of homologous chromosome associations during meiotic synapsis (PubMed:12827206). Required for chromosome segregation during mitosis and meiosis (PubMed:14499625, PubMed:12808038, PubMed:14560015, PubMed:16802858). Plays a role in DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair during meiotic recombination and promotes the assembly of the 9-1-1 cell-cycle checkpoint response complex which is required for inducing apoptosis in response to DNA damage, at DNA damage sites (PubMed:21856158). Component of the cohesin complex, composed of the smc-1 and smc-3 heterodimer attached via their hinge domain, scc-1 which links them, and scc-3 (PubMed:12827206). Interacts with scc-1, smc-1 and tim-1 (PubMed:12827206). Has diffuse nuclear appearance at interphase during mitosis in somatic and germline tissues (PubMed:12827206). Localizes to chromosomes at pachytene during meiosis (PubMed:14499625). Expressed in gonadal cells. RNAi-mediated knockdown results in embryonic lethality (PubMed:14560015, PubMed:12827206, PubMed:12808038, PubMed:16802858). RNAi-mediated knockdown from early in larval development results in sterile, uncoordinated (Unc), and protruding vulva phenotypes, in abnormal embryonic cell nuclei morphology and in defects in the mitotic and meiotic cells of gonads (PubMed:14499625, PubMed:14560015). RNAi-mediated knockdown results in somatic gonad cell division defects with a reduced number of pi uterine cells at the early- to mid-L4 larval stage (PubMed:14560015). RNAi-mediated knockdown results in chromosome segregation defects in early embryos with lagging chromosomes at the anaphase phase of mitosis (PubMed:14499625, PubMed:12808038, PubMed:16802858). RNAi-mediated knockdown results in defective homologous alignment of chromosomes and chromosome cohesion in meiosis (PubMed:14499625). Belongs to the SCC3 family.