Microtubule inner protein (MIP) part of the dynein-decorated doublet microtubules (DMTs) in cilia axoneme, which is required for motile cilia beating (By similarity). May play a role in the beating of primary cilia and thereby be involved in the establishment of organ laterality during embryogenesis (PubMed:26531781). Interacts with PIERCE1 and PIERCE2; the interactions link outer dynein arms docking complex (ODA-DC) to the internal microtubule inner proteins (MIP) in cilium axoneme. First observed at tailbud stage in the developing Kupffer's vesicle, the zebrafish laterality organ. At the 10 somites stage, it is expressed in the otic vesicle and the floorplate. At 18 somites it is expressed in the pronephros. From 23 somites, it is no longer detected. Zebrafish mutants lacking cfap53 display total organ heterotaxia. Belongs to the CFAP53 family.