Template strand only serves as the template for transcription whereas coding strand contains the exact same sequence of nucleotides in the mRNA except thymine. Coding DNA strand 5'-ATACG-3' Template DNA strand 3'-TATGC-5' mRNA synthesised 5'-UAUGC-3' Caution The direction of the template strand is in 3' to 5', whereas the coding strand shows opposite directional polarity, i.e., 5′ to 3′ direction.