Attaches the virus to host cellular receptor, inducing endocytosis of the virion. In the endosome, the acidic pH induces conformational changes in the glycoprotein trimer, which trigger fusion between virus and cell membrane. There is convincing in vitro evidence that the muscular form of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), the neuronal cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), and the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) bind glycoprotein and thereby facilitate rabies virus entry into cells (By similarity). Homotrimer. Interacts with matrix protein (By similarity). Glycosylated and palmitoylated by host. Glycosylation is crucial for glycoprotein export at the cell surface (By similarity). Primary surface antigen capable of inducing and reacting with virus-neutralizing antibodies. Almost all human and veterinary vaccines are based on the functional aspects of the G protein. Arg-352 is highly involved in rabies virus pathogenicity. Its mutation dramatically attenuates the virus (By similarity). Belongs to the lyssavirus glycoprotein family.