Envelope glycoprotein that binds to the potential host cell entry receptor IDE. In epithelial cells, the heterodimer gE/gI is required for the cell-to-cell spread of the virus, by sorting nascent virions to cell junctions. Once the virus reaches the cell junctions, virus particles can spread to adjacent cells extremely rapidly through interactions with cellular receptors that accumulate at these junctions. Implicated in basolateral spread in polarized cells. In neuronal cells, gE/gI is essential for the anterograde spread of the infection throughout the host nervous system. Together with US9, the heterodimer gE/gI is involved in the sorting and transport of viral structural components toward axon tips (By similarity). The heterodimer gE/gI serves as a receptor for the Fc part of host IgG. Dissociation of gE/gI from IgG occurs at acidic pH. May thus be involved in anti-VZV antibodies bipolar bridging, followed by intracellular endocytosis and degradation, thereby interfering with host IgG-mediated immune responses (By similarity). Interacts (via N-terminus) with host receptor IDE (via N-terminus). Interacts with gI; this interaction enhances the Fc receptor function of gE (By similarity). The heterodimer gE/gI interacts with the Fc part of host IgG. During virion morphogenesis, this protein probably accumulates in the endosomes and trans-Golgi where secondary envelopment occurs. It is probably transported to the cell surface from where it is endocytosed and directed to the trans-Golgi network (TGN), maybe through an interaction with PACS-1 sorting protein. The heterodimer gE/gI then redistributes to cell junctions to promote cell-cell spread later in the infection (By similarity). Phosphorylated on serines within the acidic cluster. Phosphorylation determines whether endocytosed viral gE traffics to the trans-Golgi network or recycles to the cell membrane. Belongs to the alphaherpesvirinae glycoprotein E family.