Plays a central role in chromosome cohesion during mitosis and meiosis divisions by preventing premature dissociation of cohesin complex from centromeres after prophase, when most of cohesin complex dissociates from chromosomes arms. Probably act by protecting REC8 and RAD21 from separase degradation during anaphase. Also acts as a spindle checkpoint component required for sensing tension between sister chromatids during mitosis, its degradation when they separate preventing cell cycle arrest and chromosome loss in anaphase, a time when sister chromatids are no longer under tension. Localizes to the centromere during S and M phases, dissociates at the onset of anaphase. Colocalizes with kinetochores. Associates with the spindle pole. Appears in S phase cells and remains present during mitosis until metaphase. Degraded at the onset of anaphase. During meiosis it is present until anaphase II and is then degraded. Not present in G1 cells. Ubiquitinated by the anaphase promoting complex (APC) at the onset of anaphase, conducting to its degradation. Belongs to the shugoshin family.