The adult kidney is derived from the interaction between the metanephric blastema and the ureteric bud. The platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor β is essential for the development of the mature glomerular tuft, as mice deficient for this receptor lack mesangial cells. This study investigated the role of Src tyrosine kinase in PDGF-mediated reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and migration of metanephric mesenchymal cells (MMCs). Cultured embryonic MMCs from wild type and PDGF receptor-deficient embryos were established. Migration was determined via wound healing assay. Unlike PDGF AA, PDGF BB induced greater migration in MMCs with respect to control. This was abrogated by neutralizing antibody to PDGF BB. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors suppressed PDGF BB-induced migration. Conversely, mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK) inhibitors had no effect. Src inhibitors inhibited PDGF-induced cell migration, PI3K activity, and Akt phosphorylation. Adenoviral dominant negative Src (AD DN Src) abrogated PDGF BB-induced Akt phosphorylation. Hydrogen peroxide stimulated cell migration. PDGF BB-induced wound closure was inhibited by the antioxidants N-acetyl-L-cysteine, tiron, and the flavoprotein inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium. These cells express the NADPH oxidase homolog Nox4. Inhibiting Nox4 with antisense oligonucleotides or small interfering RNA (siRNA) suppressed PDGF-induced wound closure. Inhibition of Src with siRNA reduced PDGF BB-induced ROS generation as assessed by 2',7' - dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate fluorescence. Furthermore, PDGF BB-stimulated ROS generation and migration were similarly suppressed by Ad DN Src. In MMCs, PDGF BB-induced migration is mediated by PI3K and Src in a redox-dependent manner involving Nox4. Src may be upstream to PI3K and Nox4.