Fig. 8. Localization of meiotic cohesin complexes during mammalian meiotic divisions. Rec8-containing meiotic cohesin is localized along the chromosomal axes between sister chromatids, including the centromere regions, the arm regions both proximal and distal to chiasmata at metaphase I. At this stage, the arm cohesion distal to chiasmata is responsible for uniting homologous chromosomes together, and the resolution of them triggers separation of the homologs at anaphase I. Rec8 is released from the arm regions concomitantly with the separation of homologs. In metaphase II, Rec8-containing meiotic cohesin is localized at centromere regions at which sister chromatid cohesion is maintained. Release of Rec8 from the centromere regions coincides with the separation of sister chromatids in anaphase II.