The meiosis-specific kinetochore factor Meikin plays a crucial role in both mono-orientation and centromeric cohesion protection during meiosis I, partly by stabilizing the localization of the cohesin protector shugoshin, and also by recruiting Polo-like kinase PLK1 to the kinetochores. PLK1 is required for mono-orientation and the protection of centromeric cohesion [].