This protein forms spikes on the surface of the virion. It is responsible both for the binding of the virus to susceptible host cells and for inducing the uptake of the virus by the cell. The interaction between the internal components of the virion and the portion of the glycoprotein exposed on the cytoplasmic face of the plasma membrane probably directs envelopment and virus budding. Belongs to the nucleorhabdovirus glycoprotein family.