Adenosine deaminase, which is essential for lymphoid differentiation and function, has previously been considered to be a cytosolic enzyme. In this report we demonstrate that it can be found associated with the plasma membrane of lymphocytes. By means of immunological techniques using both light and electron microscopy, adenosine deaminase was localized on the external side of the plasma membrane of normal lymphocytes and monocytes. Since the enzyme expression differed depending on the type of cell examined, new hypotheses about the mechanisms involving purine metabolism in immune dysfunctions or immunodeficiency syndromes may be considered.