Degradation of benzoate to 2-hydro-1,2-dihydroxybenzoate (DHB). benzoate + H(+) + NADH + O2 = (1R,6S)-1,6-dihydroxycyclohexa-2,4-diene-1-carboxylate + NAD(+) Binds 1 [2Fe-2S] cluster. Binds 1 Fe cation. Aromatic compound metabolism; benzoate degradation via hydroxylation; catechol from benzoate: step 1/2. This dioxygenase system consists of three proteins: the two subunits of the hydroxylase component (BenA and BenB), and an electron transfer component (BenC). Belongs to the bacterial ring-hydroxylating dioxygenase alpha subunit family.