Provided herein are compositions, compounds, and methods of modulating
gene expression. In certain embodiments described herein is a composition, wherein the composition comprises an antagoNAT. In some embodiments, the antagoNAT is an
oligonucleotide comprising modified and unmodified
sugar subunits, wherein the antagoNAT hybridizes with a natural antisense transcript. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method for modulating
gene expression in a
cell comprising contacting the
cell with an antagoNAT. In some embodiments, the method includes forming a
hybrid comprising the antagoNAT and a natural antisense transcript of the
gene, wherein the
hybrid sterically blocks the normal function of the natural antisense transcript.