The invention demonstrates that, contrary to apoptotic rabies virus G proteins, certain non-apoptotic rabies virus G proteins, such as the G protein of the CVS-NIV strain, have a neurite outgrowth promoting effect. The invention further demonstrates that this neurite outgrowth promoting effect is due to the cytoplasmic tail of said non-apoptotic rabies virus G proteins, more particularly to their PDZ-BS, which shows a single-point mutation compared to the one of apoptotic rabies virus G proteins. The invention provides means for inducing and/or stimulating neurite outgrowth, which are useful in inducing neuron differentiation, for example for the treatment of a neoplasm of the nervous system, as well as in regenerating impaired neurons, for example for the treatment of a neurodegenerative disease, disorder or condition or in the treatment of a microbial infection, or in protecting neurons from neurotoxic agents or oxidative stress.
