If all receptor proteins were removed from hepatocytes' (liver cells') membranes, then the liver would no longer respond to hormones. This would be catastrophic to the metabolism, because the liver could no longer process nutrients such as glucose. Such a malady would prove fatal when not eating, because the lack of glycogen, cortisol, epinephrine (and other hyperglycemic hormones) woukd lead to hypoglycemic shock, coma, and death.