The proteolipid plasmolipin is member of the expanding group of tetraspan (4TM) myelin proteins. Initially, plasmolipin was isolated from kidney plasma membranes, but subsequent northern blot analysis revealed highest expression in the nervous system. To gain more insight into the functional roles of plasmolipin, we have generated a plasmolipin-specific polyclonal antibody. Immunohistochemical staining confirms our previous observation of glial plasmolipin expression and proves plasmolipin localization in the compact myelin of rat peripheral nerve and myelinated tracts of the CNS. Western blot analysis indicates a strong temporal correlation of plasmolipin expression and (re-) myelination in the PNS and CNS. However, following axotomy plasmolipin expression is also recovered in non-regenerating distal nerve stumps. In addition, we detected plasmolipin expression in distinct neuronal subpopulations of the CNS. The observed asymmetric distribution of plasmolipin in compact myelin, as well as in epithelial cells of kidney and stomach, indicates a polarized cellular localization. Therefore, we purified myelin from the CNS and PNS and demonstrated an enrichement of phosphorylated plasmolipin protein in detergent-insoluble lipid raft fractions, suggesting selective targeting of plasmolipin to the myelin membranes. The present data indicate that the proteolipid plasmolipin is a structural component of apical membranes of polarized cells and provides the basis for further functional analysis.